Wire twister



Nov. 3, 1953 l. L. GREATHOUSE WIRE TwIsTER Filed Aug. 31, 1951 VII/III] 1 lll IN V EN TOR.

Patented Nov. 3, 1953 WIRE TWISIER Irasy-Greathouseglhula Vista?, Gliff assignorto'e Rolli' Aircraft Corporartion;ilularvistagcli.. a-:corp'oration of Californians Application August-31, 19571;. N`g24`41490 This invention relates to a device for twisting wire together so that the wire becomes anchored in a desired position, and is especially adapted for twisting wires known as safety wires which are used extensively in the aircraft industry to anchor nuts to the bolts on which they are screwed.

It is an object of the invention to provide a wire twister which is small and light in weight so that it can easily be operated by one hand and is capable of being inserted into narrow spaces.

Another object is to provide means whereby the degree of tightness with which the wire is twisted may be easily regulated.

A further object is to provide means whereby the twisting device is automatically fed along the wire as it becomes twisted.

Another object is to provide means whereby a strong tension may be exerted on the wire at any stage of the twisting operation desired.

Further objects will become apparent as the description of the device proceeds. For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a front View, partly in section, of a wire twister embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional View of the end portion of the twister of Figure 1 taken on line 2 2;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view, similar to Figure 2, showing the parts in position for insertion of the wire, and;

Figure 4 is a View similar to Figure 3 but with the parts in position for twisting wire.

The wire twister comprises a long, thin sleeve II] provided near one end thereof with a pair of diametrically opposed holes II whose length is substantially greater than their width, as shown. Slidable within sleeve ID is a cylindrical rod I2 which has spaced from its lower end an extending flange I3 which is slidable within the cylindrical bore I4 of a sleeve or handle I5.

The upper end of rod I2 has its front and rear cut away to provide two flat tapered faces I 6 whose upper ends are connected by the convex end portion I'I. For adjusting rod I2 within sleeve I, a ring I8 slidable along the outside of sleeve I!! is provided, this ring being connected to rod I2 by a pin I9 anchored in rod I2 and passing through a longitudinal slot 20 in sleeve I0. The upper end of bore I4 is threaded to receive a screw thread 2| cut on sleeve I0, a lock nut 22 being screwed on thread 2I for a purpose to be described. Rod I 2 is strongly biased upwardly by a compression spring 23 whose upper end bears 3 claims. (o1. 14o- 93) aganstlnge I Sandrwhoselowerrendfisseatede againstsftheterminal `Lwallj ofi bore 4'. 1 Movable" within spring 23 is a threaded screw 24 passing through a threaded hole 25 in the end of sleeve I5, -a locknut 26 being threaded onto screw 24.

The peripheral surfaces of members I5, I8, 22, 26

and the head 21 of screw 24 are roughened, as by knurling, to Yfacilitate their being grasped and moved by the operator. The several parts described are preferably made of steel or other suitable metal.

In using the tool to twist a wire W which is looped -about a fixed strut T, ring I8 is slid back to withdraw rod I2 from the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 into that shown in Figure 3 whereupon the ends of the wire are passed through the holes II. The entire tool is then pushed towards strut T as far as possible and, with the operator grasping sleeve I5, the tool is rotated. As the twisting proceeds, the wire exerts a force on the tool in a direction away from strut T which automatically feeds the tool along the untwisted portion of the wire, If it is desired to increase the tightness of the twist, lock nut 22 is loosened and sleeve I0 and rod I2 rotated while sleeve I5 is held against rotation so that flange I3 is advanced towards screw 24 thereby further compressing spring 23. Lock nut 22 is then screwed into position against the end of sleeve l5.

Should for any reason it be desired to exert a strong pull on the wire as, for example, in the case of initially bending a stiff wire to the contour of strut T, screw 24 is screwed in until its end presses rmly against the end of rod I2. This causes the wire to be rmly gripped and locked between tapered faces I6 and sleeve I0 in the region at the outer end of holes II (position shown in Figure 4). By pulling on sleeve I5, the desired ydegree of tension may be applied to the wire. The tool may then be released by turning screw 24 to reset it in its initial position. I This feature permits the tool to be used instead of a pair of pliers for pulling wire or like material.

This invention may be embodied in other forms or carried out in other ways without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, The present embodiment of the invention is therefore to be considered as in all respects illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A tool adapted for twisting adjacent portions of a wire together comprising: a long thin sleeve h-aving two oppositely -disposed openings spaced 5 from the upper end thereof, said openings being adapted to pass the wire therethrough; a hollow handle secured to the lower end of said sleeve and having a cylindrical bore; a rod slidable within said sleeve and having a guide flange slid- -able along said bore, said rod having at its upper end a pair of inwardly converging gripping faces; a spring within said handle arranged to cause said gripping faces to press the wire against the inside of said sleeve at the upper end of said openings; and a screw coaxial with said rod threaded into said handle and arranged to engage the lower end of said rod and apply a high upward pressure thereto.

2. A tool as claimed in claim 1; in which said spring has spirall57 arranged turns and the upper end of said screw is disposed within said spring.

3. A tool as claimed in claim 1; in which said screw projects from the lower end of said handle and terminates in a knurled head.

IRA L. GREATHOUSE.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,209,364 Weissenborn Dec. 19, 1916 1,209,434 Hayden Dec. 19, 1916 1,970,924 Van Slyke Aug. 21, 1934 2,020,218 Siddle Nov. 5, 1935 2,214,267 Bednarek Sept. 10, 1940 2,425,871 Eichorst Aug. 19, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 874,508 France May 4, 1942 

